Bridgestone RB-1 1993
01-02-12, 11:49 AM
#51
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runningDoc- thanks for all the fender shots and info. Really useful!
I have to agree: a quill stem would turn that bike close to perfection. Humble opinion disclaimer!
I have to agree: a quill stem would turn that bike close to perfection. Humble opinion disclaimer!
01-02-12, 02:24 PM
#54
aka Tom Reingold
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Not necessarily. If the snow is wet and it's possible to push it aside and hit the ground, you're better off with high pressure than a fat, low-pressure tire.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-02-12, 02:25 PM
#55
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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+1...my favorite tire for slush is a 23c at about 90psi. It cuts right through it.
01-02-12, 02:41 PM
#56
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Agreed, as long as the snow is wet enough to not be icy, road tires work surprisingly well in my experience. If there's ice on the ground it's game over obviously.
BTW the bike looks incredible!
BTW the bike looks incredible!
Last edited by mazdaspeed; 01-02-12 at 02:44 PM.
01-02-12, 03:26 PM
#57
I don't know.
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how did I miss this thread?.... great bike. You're lucky to find one so mint.
01-02-12, 06:32 PM
#58
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Thread Starter
the official weight is 19lbs 8oz with leather saddle, fenders, bell, and two bottle cages. I swapped over my weight weenie parts (and the sram red group) so take the "under 20 lbs fully loaded" actual weight with a grain of salt (since I used such a light build group).
eventually i'm going to build another weight weenie carbon or Ti bike build and swap the red back onto the new build. from there I'll put a more economical/practical group onto the frame - maybe a SRAM apex compact group with the 11-32 cassette haha!
the continental 4000S 25c tires are weird... they actually measure 27mm wide...I've read internet reports about this but was skeptical but I guess its true the 25c ride wide - plus they barely clear the fenders (which are claimed by planet bike to be able to fit up to 28c tires).
I understand that a quill stem would look "cleaner" but I like to have my bike parts versatile - where they can be swapped over to a new bike (like a modern Ti or carbon bike) quickly and easily. The current bars/stem/seatpost/build group is actually very light (the reason my bike fully loaded with the leather saddle, fenders, and bell is still under 20lbs).
I'm currently looking into getting a new road bike frame (maybe a CAAD or a Ti frame) that the Ritchey Classic silver stem/bars/seatpost would look good on... if I do I'll swap over the stuff then make the RB-1 a more practical (and truer to the older Bridgestone ethos) economical build (again maybe with SRAM Apex compact group) - from there I can look into finding the older OEM Ritchey Stem (actually spoiler alert I already have one!) 25.4 diameter bars.
Thats whats holding me back mainly from installing the OEM ritchey stem... the 25.4 bars options are getting harder to find especially with modern curve forms. sure there are Nitto Noodles (and others) but they are mostly in 26.0 diameter now - bringing back a need for another quill stem (which is a bit wasteful now).
eventually i'm going to build another weight weenie carbon or Ti bike build and swap the red back onto the new build. from there I'll put a more economical/practical group onto the frame - maybe a SRAM apex compact group with the 11-32 cassette haha!
I understand that a quill stem would look "cleaner" but I like to have my bike parts versatile - where they can be swapped over to a new bike (like a modern Ti or carbon bike) quickly and easily. The current bars/stem/seatpost/build group is actually very light (the reason my bike fully loaded with the leather saddle, fenders, and bell is still under 20lbs).
I'm currently looking into getting a new road bike frame (maybe a CAAD or a Ti frame) that the Ritchey Classic silver stem/bars/seatpost would look good on... if I do I'll swap over the stuff then make the RB-1 a more practical (and truer to the older Bridgestone ethos) economical build (again maybe with SRAM Apex compact group) - from there I can look into finding the older OEM Ritchey Stem (actually spoiler alert I already have one!) 25.4 diameter bars.
Thats whats holding me back mainly from installing the OEM ritchey stem... the 25.4 bars options are getting harder to find especially with modern curve forms. sure there are Nitto Noodles (and others) but they are mostly in 26.0 diameter now - bringing back a need for another quill stem (which is a bit wasteful now).
01-02-12, 06:45 PM
#59
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Thread Starter
here's the OEM stem on the 1993 RB-1
and close up pics of the actual stem:
in my opinion a quill stem would actually look "cleaner" so I do agree with the people in this thread whom suggest using a quill stem to "per-fect" the build...
but the actual stem they used in the 1993 bike - the Ritchey Fore Comp Road Stem actually ends up looking similar to a modern threadless stem design due to the jutting out of the steer tube and a thick stem welded onto it:
using a normal quill stem wouldn't actually be true to the OEM build... since the original RB-1 1993 build had that funky Richey Force Comp stem (which looks similar to a threadless set up) to begin with.
and close up pics of the actual stem:
in my opinion a quill stem would actually look "cleaner" so I do agree with the people in this thread whom suggest using a quill stem to "per-fect" the build...
but the actual stem they used in the 1993 bike - the Ritchey Fore Comp Road Stem actually ends up looking similar to a modern threadless stem design due to the jutting out of the steer tube and a thick stem welded onto it:
using a normal quill stem wouldn't actually be true to the OEM build... since the original RB-1 1993 build had that funky Richey Force Comp stem (which looks similar to a threadless set up) to begin with.
01-02-12, 08:10 PM
#61
Full Member
Something's missing..., perhaps a rear rack? A nice classic Vetta should do the trick, but suppose you've already mapped this out. You've made some great choices. 
Doesn't the catalog have it spec'd with a 126mm hub? So how do you reckon it was the first year with 9 speed brifters?
Doesn't the catalog have it spec'd with a 126mm hub? So how do you reckon it was the first year with 9 speed brifters?
Last edited by Kanegon; 01-02-12 at 08:36 PM.
02-23-12, 12:36 PM
#62
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Thread Starter
Something's missing..., perhaps a rear rack? A nice classic Vetta should do the trick, but suppose you've already mapped this out. You've made some great choices.
Doesn't the catalog have it spec'd with a 126mm hub? So how do you reckon it was the first year with 9 speed brifters?
Doesn't the catalog have it spec'd with a 126mm hub? So how do you reckon it was the first year with 9 speed brifters?
I've read that the fully loaded RB-1 with brifters were in the $1,500 range back in the day.
Such a beautiful day in Brooklyn today mid 50's sunny crisp in February ....?! after the ride I took some pics....
The old leather seat experiment is over... I went back to my usual road bike seat (Selle San Marco Caymano)
25c Conti 4000s w/ reflective stripes. Its more comfortable for sure and can handle fire-roads just fine. Plus the reflective stripes are both safer and cool looking (two rolling rings of white during night).
finally found a 22.2-to-31.6 threadless-threaded adaptor, that sits flush onto the headset/stem, on eBay (for $16). Also the Sheldon Fender Nuts keep this bike easily fender ready and practical.
I'm really happy with the weight so far. Especially with the larger tires.
02-23-12, 12:48 PM
#63
I don't know.
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such a pretty bike. I really like it. And the weight is amazing.
mine weighs 23.92 as pictured:
6.17 lbs heavier with tube/tool bag, and pump. most of that difference must be in the wheels, right?
mine weighs 23.92 as pictured:
6.17 lbs heavier with tube/tool bag, and pump. most of that difference must be in the wheels, right?
02-23-12, 12:58 PM
#64
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Thread Starter
^thanks. I swapped over all my weight weenie bike parts... even the water bottle cages are weigh weenie approved.
My wheels are the easton ec90 SLX that Performance sells. They are a little over 1500g with rim tape. The difference in weight between ours is going to be in the handlebar stem combo (even with a quill adaptor a modern stem and handlebars is going to be a lot lighter), the seatpost (thompson elite 27.2 250mm) compared to a heavy steel one, and the little stuff like bottle cages (mine are 13g each).
I figure your bike weighs a little over/under 20lbs without the pump and bag... so its not that far off actually.
I figure your bike weighs a little over/under 20lbs without the pump and bag... so its not that far off actually.
02-23-12, 01:08 PM
#66
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I have a bell that I use which actually allows me to ring when on the hoods/drops.
02-23-12, 01:13 PM
#68
I don't know.
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^thanks. I swapped over all my weight weenie bike parts... even the water bottle cages are weigh weenie approved.
My wheels are the easton ec90 SLX that Performance sells. They are a little over 1500g with rim tape. The difference in weight between ours is going to be in the handlebar stem combo (even with a quill adaptor a modern stem and handlebars is going to be a lot lighter), the seatpost (thompson elite 27.2 250mm) compared to a heavy steel one, and the little stuff like bottle cages (mine are 13g each).
I figure your bike weighs a little over/under 20lbs without the pump and bag... so its not that far off actually.
My wheels are the easton ec90 SLX that Performance sells. They are a little over 1500g with rim tape. The difference in weight between ours is going to be in the handlebar stem combo (even with a quill adaptor a modern stem and handlebars is going to be a lot lighter), the seatpost (thompson elite 27.2 250mm) compared to a heavy steel one, and the little stuff like bottle cages (mine are 13g each).
I figure your bike weighs a little over/under 20lbs without the pump and bag... so its not that far off actually.
02-23-12, 01:21 PM
#69
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Mine weighs a whopping 22.99lbs, but it has heavy (1900g) 36h wheels, heavy shifters, pedals, a phil bottom bracket that probably weighs as much as a red crank+bb combo for instance 
02-23-12, 01:25 PM
#70
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Thread Starter
thanks... I'm jealous though.. because you have not one but two "grail bikes". I was looking around for a Colnago Master for a long time... then just decided to get the modern version.
You have have it speced with campy which looks even better on the steel frames... I was very very close to going with a modern campy group on the RB-1.
ya, I noticed you have high-end (light) stuff. I have a set of Titan wheels that are probably lighter... I should put them on and see what I save. And I'll take off the pump and bag and see what it comes in at. I'd be willing to get a lighter seat post, but the Nitto stem and 3ttt bars will probably stay.
02-23-12, 01:28 PM
#71
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ya, I noticed you have high-end (light) stuff. I have a set of Titan wheels that are probably lighter... I should put them on and see what I save. And I'll take off the pump and bag and see what it comes in at. I'd be willing to get a lighter seat post, but the Nitto stem and 3ttt bars will probably stay.
02-23-12, 01:36 PM
#72
I don't know.
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Me Campy? ha, I wish. No it is just a mongrel with everything from old Ultegra RD, 105 9 speed brifters, FSA Gossamer crank, BRS-400 calipers (original to bike) etc. Basically this bike just gets hand-me-down stuff. (it may get the matching 105 calipers to the brifters next).
02-23-12, 01:37 PM
#73
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Very different experience than the RB-1
02-23-12, 01:39 PM
#74
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ugh, really that's a heavy crank? I just put that on. The old Ultegra crank and BB was shot. It is the best shifting crank I've ever had; lighting fast. I did not research it's weight before purchasing.
02-23-12, 01:42 PM
#75
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Thread Starter
Me Campy? ha, I wish. No it is just a mongrel with everything from old Ultegra RD, 105 9 speed brifters, FSA Gossamer crank, BRS-400 calipers (original to bike) etc. Basically this bike just gets hand-me-down stuff. (it may get the matching 105 calipers to the brifters next).